89-10-03 R1 McDONNELL DOUGLAS: Amendment 39-6203 as corrected by Amendment 39-6290. \n\n\tApplicability: Model DC-8 series airplanes, equipped with left (LH) or right (RH) nose landing gear (NLG) upper drag link assembly, P/N 5716882-1, -501, -503, 5717011-1, -501, or 503, certificated in any category. \n\n\tCompliance: Required as indicated, unless previously accomplished. \n\n\tTo prevent collapse of nose landing gear during ground handling, takeoff, or landing, due to fatigue failure of the LH or RH nose landing gear (NLG) upper drag link lower lug, accomplish the following: \n\n\tA.\tWithin the next 400 landings after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished within the last 400 landings, conduct a magnetic particle or dye penetrant inspection of the LH and RH nose landing gear upper drag link assembly, and measure the lower lug stiffening web for minimum thickness, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas DC-8 Service Bulletin 32-178, dated May 22, 1987. \n\n\t\t1.If cracks are found, or if the minimum web thickness measures .100 inch or less, before further flight, remove and replace the assembly in accordance with paragraph B. or D. of this AD. \n\n\t\t2.\tIf no cracks are found and the minimum web thickness measures greater than .100 inch, repeat the inspection in accordance with paragraph A. of this AD at intervals not to exceed 200 landings, unless reworked in accordance with paragraph C. of this AD, or replaced in accordance with paragraph B. or D. of this AD. \n\n\tB.\tIf the drag link assembly is replaced with a new assembly not modified in accordance with McDonnell Douglas DC-8 Service Bulletin 32-178, dated May 22, 1987, upon the accumulation of 4,000 landings on the new assembly, perform the initial inspections in accordance with paragraph A. of this AD, and repeat these inspections at intervals not to exceed 200 landings. \n\n\tC.\tIf the drag link assembly is partially modified in accordance with McDonnell Douglas DC-8 Service Bulletin32-178, issued May 22, 1987, without shot peen and polish in accordance with Steps 9 and 10, Figure 1, of the Service Bulletin, upon the accumulation of 800 landings on the modified assembly, perform the initial inspection in accordance with paragraph A. of this AD, and repeat the inspection at intervals not to exceed 200 landings. \n\n\tD.\tReplacement of both LH and RH nose landing gear upper drag link assemblies with P/N 5716882-505 and 5717011-505, or modification of the drag link assembly in accordance with McDonnell Douglas DC-8 Service Bulletin 32-178, dated May 22, 1987, and reidentification of the drag link assembly as SR08328002-3, -5, -7, -9, -11, or -13 as applicable, constitutes terminating action for the inspection requirements of this AD. \n\n\tE.\tAn alternate means of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time, which provides an acceptable level of safety, may be used when approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Northwest Mountain Region. \n\n\tNOTE: The request should be forwarded through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI), who will either concur or comment and then send it to the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Northwest Mountain Region. \n\n\tF.\tSpecial flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate airplanes to a base in order to comply with the requirements of this AD. \n\n\tAll persons affected by this directive who have not already received the appropriate service documents from the manufacturer, may obtain copies upon request to McDonnell Douglas Corporation, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Director of Publications, C1-LOO (54-60). \n\n\tThis information may be examined at FAA, Northwest Mountain Region, Transport Airplane Directorate, 17900 Pacific Highway South, Seattle, Washington, or at the Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 East Spring Street, Long Beach, California. \n\n\tThis AD correctsAD 89-10-03 (Amendment 39-6203) which became effective on May 29, 1989. \n\n\tThis amendment (39-6290, AD 89-10-03 R1) becomes effective on August 2, 1989.